Unbroken spirit

Pradeep de Silva

Thirty-two-year-old Pradeep had been a strong young police officer on many a mission that almost cost him his life. He had seen action at the war-front for five years, including the Jayasikuru operation. But he did not fall to a terrorist bullet or the sharpshooter's gun. 

During a crackdown in a police operation against some criminals, a colleague's bullet accidentally injured his spine and he lost the ability to walk. But doctors tell him that an operation will put his injury to right and he will be able to walk again. 

The operation will cost Rs. 3 million and has to be done in Singapore.

A fund has been started at the Bank of Ceylon, Borella, Account number 0380 16819. Pradeep has already received Rs. 500,000 from the President's Fund and other contributions have brought it upto Rs. 700,000. There's a long way to go, but Pradeep is determined and hopeful.

Meanwhile, he is rediscovering his talents as a painter. He recently painted New Year greeting cards and hopes to hold an exhibition, but before this his pictures need to be framed. Maybe some kind benefactor would help make ready the paintings for exhibition. 

"If the doctors say that it is impossible to remedy my disability then I can make up my mind and accept my fate. But they say that I can be made to walk again. So I will not give up hope," says this brave young man.

( Pradeep can be contacted on 071-286418 )